Brendan Rodgers: Celtic coach in his own words

Kelly: If you could relive one game, what would it be?

Brendan: The match that stood out because it really motivated me was the final – Swansea v Reading. To get Swansea into the Premier League as the first Welsh club to get there and to see how important that was to people at the time…

Kelly: It’s the worst football game to lose and the best to win, right?

Brendan: 100%. To get out of the Championship… If you know you can do it by winning the play-offs, you’ll accept that, even over winning the league because of the whole drama surrounding it and the big Wembley day. That was special. I’ve been lucky enough to win titles here with Celtic, which is special for me. Winning the FA Cup for the first time in Leicester’s history was special. But I feel like this match changed it for me when I moved to the Premier League, and after that we performed well.

Kelly: Was there a turning point in your career?

Brendan: I return to my youth. My cousin Kieran McMullan is in the small village I’m from. He played for the local football team and they were meeting outside the pub. I wasn’t allowed to go to the pub when I was younger. We would stand outside and the team would gather there to travel to play matches. Guys would come out of the bar and pass me in the car, but he always made sure I got in the car so I could see the football. I never forgot that and in the remaining years of my childhood, that’s what made me start playing football. If he hadn’t taken the time and care to look after me, I might have gotten into Gaelic football or hurling instead.

Kelly: You have managed several clubs in England and now you manage one of the biggest clubs in Scotland. How does the pressure compare to Celtic’s management?

Brendan: It’s a real unique pressure. In terms of pressing, Celtic ranks first for the most pressing positions in football. Even when I was coaching Liverpool, I might have drawn with Manchester United and wanted to win, but it wouldn’t have been the worst result. With Celtic, you are expected to win every game and not just win the game, but to do so in a style that is synonymous with the club. The club was the first British team to win the European Cup. They have done so in a style that has shaped the DNA of this club. It’s not just about winning. It’s Celtic, it’s more than that really. The mental fortitude you need to show here as a player, as a manager, in the spotlight, is enormous. You can go to so many teams in the Premier League and it would be like a holiday compared to coaching Celtic and Rangers for that matter.

Kelly: What are you most proud of having achieved in your career?

Brendan: I think I became a manager primarily because my journey was different – the path to becoming a manager. This is the biggest achievement for me. I hope I can continue to have as much success as possible – and by that I mean helping players develop, helping them improve, and helping the circumstances in their lives. If that allows me to win championships along the way, then great. Being a manager is my highlight.

Kelly: If you could only achieve one thing in your career, what would it be?

Brendan: Access to 1000 games. This was where it all started. When I became Watford manager, I went to a fantastic event put on by the LMA [League Managers’ Association] He does. On the stage that night were men who had been recruited into the Alef Club. I remember sitting there thinking ‘wow, I’ve played 1,000 games’. I probably only played 20 games. I thought that being able to play 1,000 games is a symbol of resilience, perseverance, and that people actually like what you do. I’ve played over 800 matches now, so I still have quite a few to go, but this will be the only professional thing I can do.